З Circus Circus Hotel and Casino Reviews

Read honest reviews of Circus Circus Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, covering accommodations, dining, entertainment, and overall value for money. Learn what guests experience firsthand, from the iconic circus theme to the lively atmosphere and family-friendly options.

Circus Circus Hotel and Casino Reviews Real Guest Experiences and Honest Insights

I walked in off the Strip, sweat on my palms, and hit the slots before even checking in. Not because I’m reckless – I’m not. But because I’d heard the 300-line reels on the old-school 3-reel machines still pay out like they’re on a timer. And yeah, they do. (Seriously, who’s still programming these?)

Base game grind? Slow. But the RTP clocks in at 96.8% – not elite, but solid for a place that’s been around since the ’80s. Volatility? High. I lost 40 bucks in 12 spins. Then I hit two scatters back-to-back. Max Win? 500x. I didn’t get it. But I saw it happen. A guy in a neon vest – no joke – pulled 200x in under a minute. That’s not luck. That’s a machine that knows when to let go.

Don’t come here for the luxury. The rooms? Fine. The pool? Overpriced drinks, zero chill. But the slots? They’re the real draw. No flashy animations. No fake fireworks. Just old-school reels with actual weight. (You can feel the mechanical click.)

Wager $10, spin 200 times. You’ll either be broke or on the verge. That’s the math. And if you’re playing for fun, not chasing the moon – this place works. No gimmicks. No pressure. Just a steady stream of (mostly) honest payouts.

Go in with a bankroll, not a dream. And if you’re in town for the week? Stick around. The night shift brings the real players. The ones who don’t care about the lights. Just the spin.

How to Spot Genuine Guest Feedback on TripAdvisor and Google

I scroll through 50+ reviews on a random site. Half are too perfect. Too many “amazing,” “incredible,” “best ever.” That’s a red flag. Real people don’t write like hotel PR.

Look for the ones with specific details. Not “great staff.” But “the guy at check-in on 3/14 was late, but he handed me a free drink when I complained.” That’s real. That’s messy. That’s human.

Check the date. If every review is from last month and all say “best stay ever,” someone’s gaming the system. I’ve seen fake clusters. Same phrasing. Same structure. Like a bot wrote them in a panic.

Look at the photo uploads. Real guests take pictures of their room, the pool, the bathroom. Not just the lobby. Not just a blurry shot of a sign. If every photo is a perfect wide-angle of the front entrance, it’s fake.

Check the language. If a review says “the ambiance was electrifying and the service was impeccable,” that’s not how people talk. Real people say “the place was loud, but the staff didn’t care.” Or “I got a free upgrade, which was nice.”

Look at the number of reviews. A place with 100 reviews in 3 days? Suspicious. I’ve seen this happen with places that pay for fake feedback. They don’t want depth. They want volume.

Use the “Top Reviewer” filter. See who’s posting consistently. If someone has 150 reviews on 50 different hotels, all glowing, they’re likely a paid reviewer. Not a guest.

Check for inconsistencies. One review says “no noise from the casino,” another says “I couldn’t sleep because of the screaming at 3 a.m.” Both can be true. That’s how real life works.

What to Watch for in the Text

Real feedback includes:

– Exact dates of stay

– Specific staff names (even if just “the bartender named Carlos”)

– Mention of a problem and how it was resolved

– A mix of good and bad points

– Typos, capitalization errors, uneven punctuation

Example: “Check-in was 45 mins late. But the front desk girl, Maria, gave me a $20 credit. That saved my night. Room was dusty. But the AC worked. I’ll go back.”

That’s not a script. That’s a person who stayed, had a bad moment, and got something decent out of it. That’s real.

Quick Checklist: Fake vs. Real

Red Flag	Real Sign
“The most unforgettable experience of my life!”	“It was okay. I’d stay again if the price drops.”
Photos only of the entrance, lobby, or logo	Photos of the bed, bathroom, pool, or food
Same phrase repeated across 10+ reviews	Varied sentence structure, slang, typos
Reviews all from the same date range	Spread over months, even years
No mention of anything negative	“The breakfast was cold, but the coffee was strong.”

Ignore the 5-star averages. They lie. Look at the messy ones. The ones with flaws. The ones that sound like someone who actually stayed. That’s where the truth lives.

What Families Really Say About the Kids’ Entertainment Options

I took my two kids–8 and 11–here last summer. The first thing they did? Ran straight to the arcade. Not the big one with the neon lights, the one tucked behind the snack bar. The backroom with the old-school claw machines and the 25-cent slots. They played for two hours straight. No whining. No “I’m bored.” Just (me, sweating in my seat) watching them win a stuffed raccoon and a plastic dinosaur that looked like it came from a 1990s cartoon.

The magic isn’t in the rides. It’s in the small stuff. The free face painting every weekday at 3 PM. The tiny basketball hoop in the lobby–real rim, real net–where kids get 5 shots for a dollar. My daughter made three. She screamed. I didn’t care. She was happy. That’s the only metric that matters.

There’s a mini-golf course. Not the 18-hole, overpriced kind. It’s 9 holes, painted on a concrete slab under a covered walkway. Water hazards? Plastic bottles filled with blue liquid. Bunkers? Sandbags. But the layout? Clever. One hole’s shaped like a clown’s mouth. Another has a spinning wheel that redirects the ball. It’s not fancy. It’s not even close to Vegas standards. But the kids didn’t care. They were laughing. That’s the win.

And the staff? Not the usual “Hi, welcome!” robot. One guy in a striped shirt handed my son a free lollipop after he dropped his game token in the fountain. Didn’t ask for anything. Just smiled. That kind of thing? It sticks. It’s not on the brochure. It’s not in the app. But it’s real.

Don’t come here for the big stage shows. But if you’ve got kids under 12 and want them to actually *want* to stay in one place for more than 20 minutes, this place works. The free activities aren’t a gimmick. They’re real. They’re cheap. And they’re not just for show.

Pro tip: Go early. The arcade opens at 10. By 11, it’s packed. Grab a spot before the lunch rush.

And don’t skip the kids’ menu. The chicken nuggets are frozen. But the fries? Crispy. And the juice boxes? Real juice. Not that sugar water they sell in most places. That’s the kind of detail that makes the difference between “We survived” and “We actually had fun.”

Bottom line: It’s not a theme park. But if you’re trying to keep kids occupied without blowing a grand on a single hour of entertainment, this is the spot. No fluff. Just the stuff that actually works.

Here’s what actually hits your wallet after you check in – no sugarcoating

I paid $89 for a “budget” room. Then came the $25 resort fee. (They call it “amenities.” I call it a tax on breathing.)

Parking? $20 for the night. I didn’t even leave the building.

Got a drink at the bar? $16 for a simple vodka soda. No ice. No garnish. Just a plastic cup with a name that sounds like a forgotten arcade game.

And the “free” breakfast? Two stale muffins and a cup of coffee that tasted like burnt dirt. I’d rather spend $12 on a real meal at a strip mall diner.

But here’s the real kicker: the $10 fee to use the pool. Not the hot tub. Not the cabanas. The *pool*.

I’ve seen better value at a Motel 6 with a pool that’s 10 years past its prime.

Now, if you’re smart, you’ll skip the front desk entirely. Use the free shuttle to the nearby grocery store. Buy your own snacks. Walk to the strip. Save $50 a night.

And if you’re playing, don’t touch the slots near the entrance. I ran a 200-spin session on a 94.2% RTP machine. Got three scatters. No retrigger. Max win? $150.

I lost $40 in 90 minutes.

But I did find a $500 max win on a game tucked behind the back entrance. 96.8% RTP. Volatility: high. I hit it on a 50-cent bet.

So here’s the truth: the real cost isn’t the room. It’s the *assumptions*.

They assume you’ll spend. They assume you won’t check.

So don’t.

Check the fine print. Check the actual game stats. Check your bankroll before you even step into the building.

Because the only thing cheaper than this place is the illusion that you’re getting something for free.

Why the Slot Machines and Floor Ratings Are So Polarized

I’ve played 147 spins across 12 different machines here. One gave me a 200x win in under 10 minutes. The next 40 spins? Nothing. Not even a scatter. (RTP listed at 96.3%. Feels like 93.2%.)

Some players swear by the 95%+ return on the older reel-spinners. I saw a guy hit a 500x on a 5-reel, 25-payline with a 12.5% hit rate. He left with $1,200. Then I sat down two hours later. 87 dead spins. No retrigger. No bonus. Just the base game grind, chewing through my bankroll like a hungry rat.

Volatility? Wild. One machine has a 500x max win with a 1 in 4,300 chance. Another has a 100x max win but hits scatters every 18 spins on average. I’m not saying either is rigged. But the variance isn’t labeled clearly. No one’s telling you which one’s a slow burn and which one’s a lottery ticket.

Staff don’t explain anything. I asked about the RTP on the “Circus Queen” slot. “It’s high,” said the attendant. “Like, high-high?” I pressed. “Yeah, real high.” (I checked the game file later. 94.1%. Not high. Not even close.)

So why the split? Because the floor is a mix of old-school mechanicals and new digital clones. Some machines have real Wilds, real retrigger mechanics. Others? They’re just flashy shells with low hit frequency and zero depth. If you’re chasing impressario bonus review rounds, you’ll get burned. If you’re okay with long sessions and slow wins, you might survive.

My advice: Don’t trust the “hot” machines. They’re usually the ones with the highest volatility and lowest RTP. Stick to the 95%+ games with consistent scatter triggers. And never bet more than 0.5% of your bankroll per spin. This floor eats the reckless.

How to Use Guest Feedback to Choose the Best Room Type for Your Stay

I scanned 217 guest comments last night. Not the fluff. The raw ones. The ones with typos, caps, and (yes) curse words. That’s where the real data lives.

• Look for “window view” mentions – not just “good view.” If three people say “the window faces the parking lot and I saw a rat run past at 3 a.m.,” skip that floor. But if five mention “sunrise over the strip,” that’s a signal. Floor 12, east-facing, no exceptions.
• Watch for “noise complaints” – specifically from guests on the 1st and 2nd floors. Not the usual “too loud” – the exact phrases: “heard someone arguing in the hallway at 1 a.m.” or “drunk guy yelling ‘I’m the king!’ outside my door.” That’s not a vibe. Avoid ground-level rooms near elevators.
• Check for “bathroom issues” – not just “leaky faucet.” One guest said: “Toilet overflowed after one flush. Manager took 45 minutes to show up.” Another: “Shower drain clogged after two uses.” If multiple guests mention plumbing in the same room type, skip it. The 300s? Not worth the risk.
• Dead spins in the feedback – I mean, literally. One person wrote: “Went to bed at 11, woke up at 2. No sleep. AC kept kicking on and off.” That’s not a room issue. That’s a unit with bad wiring. Look for “AC issues” or “power flickers” – those rooms are on the 7th floor, west side. Avoid.
• Max win on room selection? – No. But if five people mention “quiet hallways” or “fast elevator service,” that’s gold. The 19th floor? 95% of feedback says “no line.” That’s a win. Book it.

Bottom line: I don’t trust the pictures. I trust the gripes. The ones that say “I paid extra for a suite and still got woken up by a party.” That’s the truth. Use the comments like a bankroll – only bet on what’s proven.

Questions and Answers:

Is the Circus Circus Hotel and Casino a good choice for families with young kids?

The Circus Circus Hotel and Casino is known for being family-friendly, especially for guests with children. The property features a large indoor amusement center called the Circus Circus Funhouse, which includes arcade games, a video game area, and a variety of rides suitable for younger kids. There’s also a free circus-themed entertainment show that runs daily, featuring acrobats, clowns, and magicians—something children usually enjoy. The hotel has family rooms and suites with extra beds or pull-out sofas, making it easier to accommodate multiple family members. While the casino area is open to all ages, the entertainment and activities are focused on younger guests, which helps keep the atmosphere lively and engaging for kids. However, some guests note that the hotel’s style is more casual and less polished than other Strip properties, so if you’re looking for a more upscale family experience, you might want to consider alternatives. Overall, it’s a solid pick if you want a budget-friendly option with kid-centered fun.

How far is Circus Circus from the main Las Vegas Strip attractions?

Circus Circus is located directly on the Las Vegas Strip, just a short walk from major hotels like the Flamingo, The LINQ, and the New York-New York. It’s situated near the northern end of the Strip, close to the intersection with Tropicana Avenue. Because it’s on the Strip, you can easily access nearby attractions such as the Bellagio Fountains, the High Roller observation wheel, and the Fashion Show Mall without needing a car. Walking from Circus Circus to the center of the Strip takes about 10 to 15 minutes. Public transportation, including the free Strip Tram, stops nearby, offering another way to get around. The hotel’s location is convenient for those who want to stay in the heart of the action but don’t mind being in a slightly older, more casual part of the Strip.

Are there good dining options at Circus Circus, or should I go elsewhere?

Circus Circus offers a range of dining choices, though they tend to be more casual and focused on value than high-end cuisine. The main restaurant, the Circus Buffet, is open for breakfast, lunch, and dinner and serves a standard buffet with a variety of dishes, including American favorites, Mexican items, and some international options. It’s reasonably priced and popular with budget-conscious visitors. There are also several quick-service spots like the Taco Bell and the Waffle House, which are convenient for late-night or fast meals. For something a bit more upscale, there are nearby restaurants just a short walk away, such as those at the nearby Flamingo or the LINQ. If you’re looking for fine dining, you’ll likely want to leave the property. However, if you’re okay with casual food and want to save money, the on-site options are acceptable and offer a no-frills experience that fits the hotel’s overall vibe.

Is the casino at Circus Circus still active and worth visiting?

The casino at Circus Circus is still operational and open 24 hours a day. It features a wide selection of slot machines, including both classic and modern video slots, as well as table games like blackjack, roulette, and craps. The space is somewhat compact compared to larger Strip casinos, but it’s well-lit and easy to navigate. The atmosphere is lively, especially during peak hours, with frequent crowd activity and background music. Some guests appreciate the lower betting limits, which make it accessible for casual gamblers. The casino also runs regular promotions, such as free play offers and player rewards through the Circus Rewards program. While it may not have the same level of luxury or high-stakes gaming as other Strip venues, it’s a functional and affordable option for those who want to try their luck without spending a lot. It’s best suited for casual players rather than serious gamblers.

What’s the room quality like at Circus Circus, and is it worth upgrading?

Rooms at Circus Circus are generally basic and reflect the hotel’s long-standing presence on the Strip. Most rooms are modest in size and feature standard furnishings—simple furniture, a flat-screen TV, and a small bathroom. The decor is bright and colorful, with circus-themed touches like red and white striped walls and themed wallpaper, which some guests find charming while others see as outdated. The rooms are clean and functional, and most include a refrigerator and microwave, which is helpful for guests who want to prepare simple meals. The view from the rooms varies—some overlook the Strip, while others face the parking lot or the back of the building. Noise from the casino or the adjacent Funhouse can be noticeable at times. If you’re staying for a short period and on a tight budget, the standard rooms are acceptable. However, if you want more comfort or a better view, upgrading to a suite or a room on a higher floor may improve your experience, though the difference isn’t dramatic.

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